12 valuable things you learn after you break up with a dickhead

Learning these pearls of life wisdom almost makes being with that tool worthwhile. ALMOST.

1. You are way stronger than you think

When you were with them, you can't imagine life without them. And yet here you are. Without them. Because life goes on - and once you got past the horrific crying-all-the-time phase, you find life is SO MUCH BETTER.

2. Being alone is kind of awesome

Getting free reign of which Netflix series to watch, what to eat, where to go, what to eat AND what music to have on? Amazing! Why would anyone want to be in a relationship?!

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3. You can't change people. Especially dicks.

You only learn it with hindsight but douchebags never change their spots. Once you learn this the hard way, you know the qualities to avoid in a guy if/when you do start dating again.

3. ... And you shouldn't let someone change you

Dickheads often try to shape you into something you're not, and make you put up with things you shouldn't when your inside voice is saying 'WTF?!' That's not how relationships should be. Once you've learned this, god help the next guy that tries to do it.

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4. You deserve A LOT better

Dickheads seem to know a million little ways to make you feel bad about yourself. Only once you've found someone way nicer do you realise that the point of a relationship is to make each other happy. If someone isn't keeping up their end of the bargain, they can bugger off.

5. The warning signs were there

With hindsight, you can see that the warning signs of your relationship woes were probably there all along. Only experiencing them first hand will equip you to spot them in the future and know that if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

6. You WILL get over it

Yep. You might not have believed it when you were crying into your laptop whilst deleting all trace of him on Facebook, but the dust soon settles. Future you is having such a good life, she isn't even thinking of that no-hoper.

7. You should listen to your friends

Dickheads have this magic ability to make you defend their every dickish action. Even when your mates are telling you something's really not right. Remembering that for the future is priceless.

8. And your friends are amazing, BTW

Getting out of a bad relationship makes you appreciate your friends even more. Who else will tell you you've cried your mascara down your face or wisely convince you to have a necessary rebound snog?

9. There's no shame in failure

Sometimes good things have to end so better things can begin. Once you experience the joys of life after a dickhead, you learn to never fear failure again. It's necessary, and it's often good for you.

10. Not every guy is a massive knob

After all the lessons you learned through your horrid ex, when you're ready, you'll hopefully meet a nice new man. A really nice new man. And you'll be amazed that a relationship can be THAT nice. But it can, and you deserve it. OR, you might choose to stay single. Because...

11. You don't actually need anyone else to feel happy, thanks

It sounds wanky, but you do find out being happy really is about loving yourself, not being loved by someone else. It's only through rebuilding your life after hitting rock bottom thanks to that dickhead you realise this one important fact that will shape your future relationships. It almost makes being with that tool worthwhile. Almost.

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